A Quick Guide to Charitable Gifts

by Elaine Gast

Short on gift ideas for the holidays and beyond? I've combed catalog after catalog to find the Top Four Picks in charitable gifts. For each one listed here, there are dozens more -- visit http://us.oneworld.net/giftguide for a longer list.

It's the Project That Counts
Founded by former World Bank officers, GlobalGiving.com makes it easy to give to one of 400 social and environmental projects (60 countries and counting). Browse among disaster relief, human rights, and AIDS initiatives or by geographical region -- Asia, Africa, the Middle East -- you name it.

At GlobalGiving, you can donate to specific projects only -- not organizations or focus areas. "This lets you know exactly where your dollars are going," said Marketing Associate Meredith Landis. Since its launch in 2003, the GlobalGiving Foundation has contributed more than $3.5 million to 700+ entrepreneurial projects worldwide.

The site provides a full overview of each project -- including the organization, team bios, progress reports, and photos. Not sure how to decide? Try the Donation Wizard -- an online quiz to match a project to your preferences.

Don't let the dot-com deter you. Your donations are directed to the GlobalGiving Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. For every donation, GlobalGiving takes a 10 percent administrative fee. Visit www.globalgiving.com or call (202) 232-5784.

Goats That Keep on Giving
Heifer International, which has been around since 1944, pioneered the alternative gift catalog. Its mission is to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth -- and Heifer International uses livestock to do it. A $120 to $150 donation will buy you or your loved one a goat, pig, llama, ox, or (you guessed it) a heifer.

Now let's be clear: When you donate, neither you nor your recipient will receive a goat at your doorstep. But your gift of a dairy goat will go to a needy family in one of Heifer's project areas worldwide. The goat will not only produce milk for the family, providing immediate nutrition and a source of income, but it will also produce manure to fertilize their garden.

"Our approach is simple yet sustainable," said Megan Lewis, director of Heifer's mid-Atlantic region. "We give livestock but, more than that, we provide training on how to care for the animal and the earth." Heifer also requires anyone who receives an animal to "pass on the gift" by giving the first female offspring to someone else in the community. "It keeps the change going," said Lewis.

According to the small print, donations pay for the costs of a high-quality animal, technical assistance, and training. Heifer uses each donation where it is needed most -- meaning your dollars go toward Heifer's overall mission, and not necessarily to buy that water buffalo. Heifer takes higher administrative fees on their donations than some other alternative gift organizations -- up to 25 percent.

Visit www.Heifer.org or call 800-422-0755.

Shopping to Save the World
Every year, Alternative Gifts International (AGI) publishes a print catalog called "My Shopping List for the World," featuring what it considers 30 of the most urgent needs worldwide. Categories draw from the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and include hunger relief, development, shelter, education, and more.

What makes AGI different is that its gift catalog changes once a year. "Ours are not long-term projects. We take on each project for a year," said Director of Administration Lea McCloud. In addition, AGI works only with nonprofits that are already established. "Instead of new or high-risk organizations, we focus on those we know will spend donations how they say they will."

Donations are considered restricted -- meaning what you give goes to the agency or project you name. AGI retains a 10 percent administrative fee for overhead and outreach costs.  Giving a gift? AGO will personally inscribe your card and include an insert detailing your chosen project. Contact Alternative Gifts International at www.altgifts.org or 800-842-2243.

Donate Dollars or Time
UniversalGiving.org offers opportunities to donate or volunteer with a service project around the world. The choice is up to you. With 487 giving options and 129 ways to volunteer, you could have quite a busy year ahead.

Either give to a specific organization or choose from among various "gift packages." Gift packages allow you to make more defined donations -- $100 to provide two women with microloans in Peru, for example. Note: Although each gift package donation is intended to be used for its specified purpose, UniversalGiving reserves the right to use the donation where it's needed most.

UniversalGiving puts each of its nonprofit partners through a rigorous due diligence test. "We've done all the research and vetting for you," said Marketing Associate Cassie Meresman. "People can trust they will find a quality organization to donate their time or dollars." The organization also offers a customized service for corporations, helping them manage their employee giving and volunteer programs online.

Unlike other alternative gift services, UniversalGiving does not take a cut from donations. (Yes, you read that right.) Because UniversalGiving is supported by foundations and private donors, it does not charge administrative fees. Visit www.universalgiving.org or call (415) 296-9193.

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Based in Kula, Hawaii, Elaine Gast is a writer and communications consultant for nonprofits, foundations, membership associations, businesses, and individuals. She has authored six books, contributed to Fodor's Travel Publications, and published articles in numerous magazines and newspapers.  Elaine is president of Four Winds Writing, Inc.